Improvement



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ZINC.

Specification forming-part of Letters Patent No. 38,493, dated-May 12,1863,-

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. LEWIS, of the city ofPhiladelphia, in the countyof Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful improvement in the manufacture of metallic zinc or. spelter from the pure or impure oxide of zinc, the blue powder of zinc, or any compound ofzincobtained by yo at zation; and I do herebydeetare that. the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

M y invention consists'in submitting the 0x ide or other compound of zinc, either alone or mixed with the coal or other carbonaceous matter used as fuel for charging the mu'flies or retorts in which the reduction to the metallic condition is eifected, to pressure or pressure and friction combined, whereby I bring. the material to acoudition in which it is better adapted for-the charging of the muffies or retorts-ihat is say, 1 give it increased compactness and gravity, which enables themufflesor retorts to be charged with a much greaterquantity than when the material has not been so treated, thereby not onlysaving time in the process, but wear and tear and the breakages of the iilllfflPS or retorts, which often occur by cooling when charging, such breakage being a serious loss, as the mufflesor retortsare expensive.

,The pressure or pressure and friction combined may be applied to the material by anyspecified.

con veuientand suitable mean s. Pressure alone may be applied by meansot' any suitable press;

but I preferto subject the material to pressure -the material and the friction by their revolution around the upright shaft, to which they are attached.

I do not vconline myselfto any particular.

means or mode of applying the pressure and, friction; but v What I claim as my improvement in the manufacture of metallic zinc or spelter from the oxide or blue powder of zinc or from any compound of zinc ob'taiuedby volatilization, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

subjecting thejoxide or other compound of zinc, either aloneor mixed with thecoal or other fuel, to pressure or pressure and friction before charging it intothe, muifles or retorts, substantially as and -for the purpose herein GEORGE T. LEWIS..

v Witnesses: v

' JOHN T. LEWIS,

JAMES MILLIGAN, Jr. 

